Finding the Ancestors: Learning from Intergenerational Trauma
Much has been written about intergenerational trauma and how epigenetics plays a role in who we become. Works by Mark Wolynn, Gabor Maté, and others have covered the topic from a neurobiological level, but reading Dr. Jennifer Mullan’s Decolonizing Therapy transformed...
Understanding Why Trauma Bonds Form and How to Break Them
Trauma is an emotional result of a distressing, shocking, or life-threatening incident. It is not the event itself that causes the trauma, but rather a person’s reaction to it. Half of U.S. adults will experience at least one traumatic event in their lifetimes. For...
When Breaking Free from an Abuser Feels Impossible
Examining extreme trauma bonds With the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximating that 41% of women and 26% of men have experienced sexual violence, physical violence, psychological aggression or stalking by an intimate partner during their...
Why “Forgive and Forget” is Bad Advice for Trauma Survivors
The phrase “forgive and forget” is a common slogan and recommendation. But does it make sense for trauma survivors? While researching for my book, You Don’t Need to Forgive: Trauma Recovery on Your Own Terms, I discovered that many trauma survivors, including myself,...